Ecclesiastes 9:12

Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

For no one knows their time. Like fish caught in a cruel net or birds trapped in a snare, so are people ensnared by an evil time when it suddenly falls upon them.

Additional Resources

Other Translations

  • King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

  • KJV1611 – Modern English

    For man also does not know his time: as the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in a snare, so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them.

  • King James Version 1611 (Original)

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

  • American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

  • King James Version with Strong's Numbers

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

  • Coverdale Bible (1535)

    For a man knoweth not his tyme, but like as the fyshe are take with the angle, and as the byrdes are catched wt the snare: Eue so are men taken in the perilous tyme, when it commeth sodenly vpon them.

  • Geneva Bible (1560)

    For neither doth man knowe his time, but as the fishes which are taken in an euill net, and as the birdes that are caught in the snare: so are the children of men snared in the euill time when it falleth vpon them suddenly.

  • Bishops' Bible (1568)

    For a man knoweth not his tyme: but like as the fishes are taken with the angle, and as the byrdes are caught with the snare: euen so are men taken in the perillous time, when it commeth sodaynly vpon them.

  • Authorized King James Version (1611)

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare; so [are] the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

  • Webster's Bible (1833)

    For man also doesn't know his time. As the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.

  • Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

    For even man knoweth not his time; as fish that are taken hold of by an evil net, and as birds that are taken hold of by a snare, like these `are' the sons of man snared at an evil time, when it falleth upon them suddenly.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

  • American Standard Version (1901)

    For man also knoweth not his time: as the fishes that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falleth suddenly upon them.

  • Bible in Basic English (1941)

    Even man has no knowledge of his time; like fishes taken in an evil net, or like birds taken by deceit, are the sons of men taken in an evil time when it comes suddenly on them.

  • World English Bible (2000)

    For man also doesn't know his time. As the fish that are taken in an evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare, even so are the sons of men snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly on them.

  • NET Bible® (New English Translation)

    Surely, no one knows his appointed time! Like fish that are caught in a deadly net, and like birds that are caught in a snare– just like them, all people are ensnared at an unfortunate time that falls upon them suddenly.

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 29:6 : 6 An evil man is ensnared by his transgression, but the righteous rejoice and are glad.
  • Eccl 8:5-7 : 5 Whoever obeys a command will avoid harm, and the heart of the wise person knows the right time and the right way. 6 For every purpose there is a proper time and procedure, though the misery of mankind weighs heavily upon them. 7 Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell anyone what is to come?
  • 1 Thess 5:3 : 3 While people are saying, "Peace and safety," sudden destruction will come upon them like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
  • Luke 21:34-36 : 34 Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with indulgence, drunkenness, and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all who live on the face of the earth as a snare. 36 Be vigilant and pray at all times, so that you may have the strength to escape all that is about to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.
  • 2 Cor 6:2 : 2 For He says: “In the favorable time I listened to you, and on the day of salvation I helped you.” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
  • 2 Tim 2:26 : 26 Then they may come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
  • 1 Pet 2:12 : 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
  • 2 Pet 2:12 : 12 These people, however, are like irrational animals, creatures of instinct, born to be caught and destroyed. They speak abusively about things they do not understand, and in their destruction, they too will be destroyed.
  • Job 18:8-9 : 8 For his feet are cast into a net, and he wanders into its mesh. 9 A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare holds him tight. 10 His rope lies hidden in the ground, and his trap is set along the path.
  • Ps 11:6 : 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot.
  • Ps 73:18-20 : 18 Surely, You place them on slippery ground; You cast them down to destruction. 19 How suddenly they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors! 20 Like a dream when one awakes, so, Lord, when You arise, You will despise their image.
  • Prov 6:15 : 15 Therefore his disaster will come suddenly; in an instant, he will be broken beyond healing.
  • Prov 7:22-23 : 22 He follows her all at once, like an ox going to slaughter, or like a fool to the correction of shackles. 23 Until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird rushing into a trap, not realizing it will cost him his life.
  • Eccl 8:11 : 11 When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do evil.
  • Isa 30:13 : 13 'this sin will become for you like a high wall, cracked and bulging, that collapses suddenly, in an instant.'
  • Hab 1:14-17 : 14 You have made mankind like the fish of the sea, like sea creatures who have no ruler. 15 The wicked pull them all up with a hook, drag them out with their net, and gather them in their dragnet; so they rejoice and are glad. 16 Therefore they sacrifice to their net and burn incense to their dragnet, for by these their portion is rich and their food is plentiful. 17 Is this why they empty their net and continually slay nations without mercy?
  • Luke 12:20 : 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This very night your soul will be required of you, and the things you have prepared—who will they belong to?'
  • Luke 12:39 : 39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.
  • Luke 17:26-31 : 26 Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 People were eating, drinking, marrying, and being given in marriage up to the day Noah entered the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 It was the same in the days of Lot: People were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, 29 But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 It will be just like this on the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, no one who is on the housetop with possessions inside should go down to get them. Likewise, no one in the field should turn back for anything.
  • Luke 19:42-44 : 42 He said, 'If you had known on this day, even you, the things that would bring you peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes.' 43 For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build a barricade against you, surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave one stone on another in you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Eccl 9:11
    80%

    11Again I saw under the sun that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor does bread come to the wise, nor riches to the discerning, nor favor to the knowledgeable; but time and chance happen to them all.

  • Eccl 8:6-9
    4 verses
    76%

    6For every purpose there is a proper time and procedure, though the misery of mankind weighs heavily upon them.

    7Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell anyone what is to come?

    8No one has power over the wind to restrain it, and no one has power over the day of death. No one is discharged in the time of war, and wickedness will not save those who practice it.

    9I observed all this as I considered all the work done under the sun: a time when one man has power over another to hurt them.

  • Eccl 9:13
    75%

    13I also saw this example of wisdom under the sun, and it seemed great to me.

  • Eccl 6:12
    73%

    12For who knows what is good for a person in life, during the few days of their fleeting life? They pass like a shadow. Who can tell them what will happen under the sun after they are gone?

  • Prov 7:23
    73%

    23Until an arrow pierces his liver, like a bird rushing into a trap, not realizing it will cost him his life.

  • Prov 1:17
    73%

    17Surely in vain is the net spread in sight of any bird,

  • Job 18:8-10
    3 verses
    72%

    8For his feet are cast into a net, and he wanders into its mesh.

    9A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare holds him tight.

    10His rope lies hidden in the ground, and his trap is set along the path.

  • Hab 1:14-15
    2 verses
    72%

    14You have made mankind like the fish of the sea, like sea creatures who have no ruler.

    15The wicked pull them all up with a hook, drag them out with their net, and gather them in their dragnet; so they rejoice and are glad.

  • Eccl 9:1-3
    3 verses
    72%

    1So I reflected on all this and set my heart to examine it: that the righteous, the wise, and their deeds are in the hand of God. People do not know whether love or hatred awaits them; everything lies before them.

    2Everything happens alike to everyone: the same fate comes to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the pure and the impure, to those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As with the good person, so with the sinner; as with those who swear oaths, so with those who avoid them.

    3This is the distressing thing about everything that happens under the sun: the same fate befalls all. Moreover, the hearts of humans are full of evil, and madness resides in their hearts during their lives; and after that, they join the dead.

  • Amos 3:5
    72%

    5Does a bird fall into a trap on the ground when there is no bait for it? Does a trap spring up from the earth when it has caught nothing?

  • Eccl 3:18-19
    2 verses
    71%

    18I said in my heart concerning the matter of the sons of man, that God is testing them to show them that they are like animals.

    19For the fate of humans and the fate of animals is the same. As one dies, so dies the other; they all have the same breath, and humans have no advantage over animals, for everything is meaningless.

  • Eccl 8:17
    71%

    17then I saw all the work of God, that no one can understand the work that is done under the sun. Despite all their efforts to search it out, no one can comprehend it. Even if the wise claim to know, they cannot truly understand it.

  • Eccl 3:6
    71%

    6A time to search and a time to give up; a time to keep and a time to throw away.

  • Matt 24:39
    70%

    39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.

  • Jer 5:26
    70%

    26Among My people are wicked men. They lie in wait like those who set traps; they set deadly snares to catch people.

  • Ps 9:15
    70%

    15So that I may recount all your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion; I will rejoice in your salvation.

  • Job 22:10
    69%

    10That is why snares are all around you, and sudden terror overwhelms you.

  • Eccl 8:11
    69%

    11When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, people’s hearts are filled with schemes to do evil.

  • Ps 35:8
    69%

    8May destruction come upon them unawares. May the net they hid ensnare them; may they fall into their own trap.

  • Ps 39:6
    69%

    6Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths, and my lifetime is as nothing before You. Surely, every man is but a breath. Selah.

  • Eccl 8:14
    69%

    14There is a futility that takes place on the earth: righteous people receive what the wicked deserve, and wicked people receive what the righteous deserve. I said, 'This too is vanity.'

  • Prov 24:22
    69%

    22For suddenly their calamity will rise, and who knows the ruin of both of them?

  • Eccl 3:2
    69%

    2A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

  • Eccl 3:10-12
    3 verses
    69%

    10I have seen the burden that God has laid on the human race.

    11He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

    12I know that there is nothing better for people than to rejoice and to do good while they live.

  • Isa 19:8
    69%

    8The fishermen will mourn, all who cast hooks into the Nile will lament, and those who spread nets on the water will grow weak.

  • Job 8:9
    69%

    9for we were only born yesterday and know nothing, and our days on earth are but a shadow.

  • Eccl 6:1
    68%

    1There is an evil that I have seen under the sun, and it is great upon humanity.

  • Job 27:20
    68%

    20Terrors overtake him like a flood; in the night a storm sweeps him away.

  • Mark 13:33
    68%

    33Be on guard! Stay alert and pray, because you do not know when the time will come.

  • Ps 10:9
    68%

    9He lies in wait secretly, like a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the afflicted; he catches the afflicted by drawing them into his net.

  • Job 7:1
    68%

    1Isn't human life on earth like hard labor and their days like those of a hired worker?

  • Job 9:26
    68%

    26They pass by like reed boats, like an eagle swooping down on its prey.

  • Job 32:9
    68%

    9It is not merely the old who are wise, nor the aged who understand what is right.

  • Job 28:13
    68%

    13Mankind does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living.

  • Eccl 7:14
    68%

    14When times are good, be joyful; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future.

  • Prov 27:8
    68%

    8Like a bird that wanders from its nest is a man who wanders from his place.

  • Eccl 5:14
    68%

    14As everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, so they depart naked as they came. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.

  • Luke 21:35
    68%

    35For it will come upon all who live on the face of the earth as a snare.

  • Eccl 5:16
    68%

    16Throughout his days, he eats in darkness, with great frustration, sickness, and anger.